Last year I completed my first season of triathlons with one sprint distance (.5mi swim, 12.5 mi bike, 4.2mi run) and one olympic distance (1mi/25mi bike, 6.2mi run) race. This past week I started training for this year. I am planning on doing the same two races this year, and I may add a third sprint in late June--I still haven't decided.
When I finished the Chicago Triathlon last year I set 1 major goal with 3 sub-goals for this season. The first is to lose weight. When I started training last year, I was a plump 238 pounds. I got that from working far too much and eating far too poorly. I'm surprised I didn't break my chair at the office (well I did, but not because of being fat). I raced in August at 218, a 20# drop. I'm starting my training at 214 this year, and my goal is to drop another 20 before August. I think I can do it as long as I don't drink too much beer :)
Secondly I stated that I want to swim faster, and swim the whole mile freestyle. Last year I never could get in a rhythm doing free, so I swam most of it breast stroke. It's slower, and a lot more taxing on your legs (important for the bike and the run). While training I had a hard time doing more than a 1/2mi straight free (even at the end of the season). I started my swimming this past week, and did most of the 1/2mi free. I'm happy with that, and I think I will be able to push that further as the season goes on.
Finally, I need to run faster. I picked up a book on run training
If I can hit my goal of doing it in under 3 hrs, and under 1hr on the run, I plan on expanding my races in 2008. Eventually I'll make it to Hawaii. It may not be for another 15 years, but I will get there.
